With the local government elections looming, political parties with representatives in the Johannesburg Council gathered on 20 October 2021 for a hybrid roundtable discussion on how to build a better City.
The debate was organised by the City of Johannesburg Speaker of Council, Cllr Nonceba Molwele, under the topic “Unpacking Political Parties Manifesto”. It was attended by the leaders of ANC, DA, EFF, IFP, AIC, COPE, UDM, PA, ACDP and AL-JAM-AH.
Some of the discussions covered included working towards building a new city of the future using digital technology to fast track service delivery while creating jobs.
EFF Cllr Alushi Mosehla said the land was central to their manifesto. “We want to see the municipality giving land to the residents since the government is failing to give houses to the residents. Municipalities must buy from local businesses. We want to see all our wards having creches.”
The PA’s Cllr Ashley Sauls said that if residents voted for their party, they would make an effort of having the municipal debt owed by residents scrapped. “We will bring all municipal debt to zero. We will start from scratch. We will sleep at people’s homes in order to experience their daily lived experiences. This City has neglected the elderly. Young people will be prioritised.”
The AIC representative and MMC for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, vowed that unemployment and drugs were the real enemies of the residents of the City and need to be a priority.
“We will deal with the unemployment by getting rid of labour brokers. The issue of drugs is also a contributor of unemployment. We must deal with the root problem, which is the drug dealers, not runners,” promised Cllr Arnolds.
IFP representative and MMC for Housing in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso promised to fight corruption and fast-track housing allocation. “We aim to fight the scourge of corruption. We will encourage municipal entities to source from local businesses and prioritise issuing of operating licences. We will fast-track issuing of building plans and issuing of title deeds.”
MMC for Development Planning in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Thapelo Amad from Al Jama-ah said access to the digital world was vital to unlocking the City’s potential. “We want to bridge the current digital divide. We also want to redress the spatial planning of the past through allocating densification of human settlement and prioritise the health sector.”
ANC councillor and MMC for Finance Cllr Matshidiso Mfikoe said the party will focus on rebuilding the local economy.
“We will build a city that we are proud of. We will work with the provincial and national government to build the economy of the city. We will deliver the services promptly and consistently. Together with our communities we will fight crime.
“We’ve realised it doesn’t help to fight crime alone, when the parents are still harbor criminals. We’ll work together to fight crime, drugs and gender-based violence, rooting out corruption and nepotism,” said Cllr Mfikoe.
DA Cllr Mpho Phalatse said they will focus on social cohesion and make it easy for business to create jobs. “We pledge to develop a City that renders basic services. We will be business friendly by ensuring that jobs are created. We will give residents the smart city to bridge the digital divide.”
COPE councillor and MMC for Economic Development in the City of Johannesburg Cllr Tom Mofokeng said: “We are a party that has passed the test of time. We are incorruptible and accountable. We need everything that happens in the city to go digital. There’s no excuse that people still get incorrect water bills. Our police should also use technology to fight crime.”
Resident Irfaan Mangera commented online that the Speaker needed to do more to hold councillors accountable. “We want people fired for failure to serve the interests of their communities.”
Written by Nkosana Lekotjolo
22/10/2021